Bel Aire, Kansas

History

Bel Aire was founded in January 1955 when a group of local residents petitioned the county government to create it as an improvement district for water.

On November 26, 1980, Bel Aire formally incorporated as a city, despite a two-year legal dispute with the Wichita city government over whether or not it had the right to do so. The case ultimately went to the Kansas Supreme Court, which ruled in Bel Aire's favor.

Geography

Bel Aire lies on the north side of the East Fork of Chisholm Creek, roughly 6 mi northeast of the Arkansas River in the Wellington-McPherson Lowlands region of the Great Plains. Located on the south side of K-254 in south-central Kansas, Bel Aire is within the Wichita metropolitan area, bordered by Wichita to the south and west and bordered by Kechi to the north.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 6.86 sqmi, of which 6.83 sqmi is land and 0.03 sqmi is water.

Demographics

| align-fn = center 2010-2020 Bel Aire is part of the Wichita, KS Metropolitan Statistical Area.

2020 census

The 2020 United States census counted 8,262 people, 3,080 households, and 2,234 families in Bel Aire. The racial makeup was 74.27% (6,136) white or European American (72.25% non-Hispanic white), 9.92% (820) black or African-American, 0.5% (41) Native American or Alaska Native, 4.56% (377) Asian, 0.04% (3) Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian, 2.01% (166) from other races, and 8.7% (719) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race was 7.6% (628) of the population.

Of the 3,080 households, 32.5% had children under the age of 18; 59.3% were married couples living together; 22.6% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. 22.6% of households consisted of individuals and 11.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The percent of those with a bachelor’s degree or higher was estimated to be 36.4% of the population.

23.7% of the population was under the age of 18, 8.3% from 18 to 24, 25.7% from 25 to 44, 23.2% from 45 to 64, and 19.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38.3 years. For every 100 females, there were 109.0 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older, there were 110.9 males.

The 2016-2020 5-year American Community Survey estimates show that the median household income was $84,605 (with a margin of error of +/- $20,847) and the median family income was $98,750 (+/- $21,163). Males had a median income of $44,161 (+/- $5,434) versus $33,880 (+/- $3,945) for females. The median income for those above 16 years old was $38,015 (+/- $7,931). Approximately, 4.8% of families and 7.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.6% of those under the age of 18 and 1.0% of those ages 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 6,769 people, 2,465 households, and 1,854 families living in the city. The population density was 991.1 PD/sqmi. There were 2,554 housing units at an average density of 373.9 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 81.1% White, 8.6% African American, 0.9% Native American, 4.5% Asian, 1.4% from other races, and 3.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.8% of the population.

There were 2,465 households, of which 38.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 65.3% were married couples living together, 7.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 2.7% had a male householder with no wife present, and 24.8% were non-families. 21.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.75 and the average family size was 3.21.

The median age in the city was 36 years. 28.3% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.7% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 26.3% were from 25 to 44; 26.9% were from 45 to 64; and 11.6% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.2% male and 51.8% female.

Education

The city is served by Wichita USD 259 and Circle USD 375 public school districts. Bel Aire has two private schools as well: Sunrise Christian Academy (Pre-K to 12) and Resurrection Catholic School (Pre-K to 5).

The Northeast Magnet High School, operated by Wichita USD 259 public school district, is located in Bel Aire.

References

References

1. "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau.
2. {{cite gnis2. 473837. Bel Aire, Kansas
3. "City of Bel Aire - Our Community". City of Bel Aire.
4. "Profile of Bel Aire, Kansas in 2020". United States Census Bureau.
5. "QuickFacts; Bel Aire, Kansas; Population, Census, 2020 & 2010". United States Census Bureau.
6. "City of Bel Aire - Celebrating 30 Years". City of Bel Aire.
7. (June 2009). "General Highway Map - Sedgwick County, Kansas". [[Kansas Department of Transportation]].
8. (2003). "2003-2004 Official Transportation Map". [[Kansas Department of Transportation]].
9. "US Gazetteer files 2010". [[United States Census Bureau]].
10. "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau.
11. "US Census Bureau, Table P16: HOUSEHOLD TYPE".
12. "US Census Bureau, Table DP1: PROFILE OF GENERAL POPULATION AND HOUSING CHARACTERISTICS".
13. "Gazetteer Files".
14. "US Census Bureau, Table P1: RACE".
15. "US Census Bureau, Table P2: HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE".
16. "US Census Bureau, Table S1501: EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT".
17. "US Census Bureau, Table S1903: MEDIAN INCOME IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS (IN 2020 INFLATION-ADJUSTED DOLLARS)".
18. "US Census Bureau, Table S2001: EARNINGS IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS (IN 2020 INFLATION-ADJUSTED DOLLARS)".
19. "US Census Bureau, Table S1701: POVERTY STATUS IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS".
20. "US Census Bureau, Table S1702: POVERTY STATUS IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS OF FAMILIES".
21. "U.S. Census website". [[United States Census Bureau]].
22. (April 2020}}{{cbignore). "2010 City Population and Housing Occupancy Status". U.S. Census Bureau.
23. "Public Schools {{!}} Bel Aire, KS".
24. "Private Schools in Bel Aire, KS".
25. "Private Schools {{!}} Bel Aire, KS".